Cultivator.



J. R. PORTER.

CULTIVATOR.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 22. I912.

PatentedSept. 21, 191 5.

4 SHEETS-SHED 1.

INVE NTUR COLUMBIA PLANDCIRAIH CO-WASHINGTONK n. c,

4 SHEETSSHEE12.

Patented Sept. 21, 1915.

INVENTEIFQ J bYx/fljf/ m ATTURNEY:

J. R. PORTER. CU LT|VATOR. APPLICATION FILED JULY 22. 1912.

WiTNEiiEE:

Mal/1&1 -4 7 J. R. PORTER.

CULTIVATOR.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 22.1912.

1 153 952., Patentedse t, 21, 1915.

9 9 4 SHEETS--SHEE13. F i 11.3.

o b o o o o o o o 0 O o o o o o o 0 i Illllliii INVENTEIR m yJ 7? 93% Maw/L fl? gig/3% y iffz u rm ATTEIRNEYE'J J. R. PORTER.

CULTIVATOR. APPLICATION FILED JULY 22. I9I2.

. lNvENTElF-l 3.

EIY @4 1 W ATTURN 5Y5 JESSE R. PORTER, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

CULTIVATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 21, 1915.

Application filed July 22, 1912. SerialNo. 710,743.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JEssE R. PORTER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Cultivators, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a cultivator for digging and finely dividing or disintegrating the earth of a farm preparatory to planting seed in the same and more particularly to a machine for this purpose which is operated by power and designed to cover a comparatively large area during one run but which can also be operated by animal power and designed to cover a smaller area.

It is the object of this invention to produce av machine for this purpose which is comparatively simple and durable in construction and efiicient in operation, whlch will thoroughly and effectually dig up the ground or earth and thoroughly pulverize or reduce the same suitable for planting, which can be regulated so as to dig the earth at variable depths best suited for the particular crop of planting desired, which permits of digging up a portion .of the subsoil at the same time that the surface soil is being dug up, and which is so organized that a comparatively large surface of the earth is operated upon at one time with a minimum expenditure of power. In the accompanying drawings consisting of 4 sheets: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a cultivator constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof. Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section, on an enlarged scale, taken in line 3-8, Fig, 2. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side elevation of one of the digger sections, the same being shown partly in section, in line 44, Fig. 6. Fig. 5 is a vertical longitudinal section taken in line 55, Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a horizontal cross section, on an enlarged scale, of a digger section taken in line 6'6, Fig. 4, looking upwardly. Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of the frame and adjacent parts of one of digger sections.- Fig. 8 is a fragmentary longitudinal section, taken in line 88, Fig. 5. Fig. 9 is a detached view of one of the digging tools constructed somewhat difierently from the tool shown in Figs. 2, 6 and 8 and designed for digging part of the sub-soil at the same time that the surface soil is'being dug.

Similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several vlews.

Although the main frame of the machine which supports the various working parts may be variously constructed that shown in the drawings is suitable and comprises two longitudinal side sills, beams or bars 1 and a plurality of cross bars or pieces 2 which connect the sills at different points throughout the length thereof. At its front end this'frame is preferably mounted upon a single wheel 3 which is capable of turning horizontally on the central part of the frame for steering purposes and about midway of the length of the frame the same is mounted upon two rear supporting wheels 4, 4 arranged along the outer sides of the sills. The parts just referred to constitute in effect the main elements of the carriage whereby the digging appliances are transported during the operation of cultivating the earth and also supporting the same for transportation from one field or place to another when the cultivator is not in use. The means for operating the front steering wheel which are shown in the drawings, as an example, comprise a fork 5 which is pivoted horizontally on the front part of the frame, and an upright steering post or shaft 6 also journaled on the frame and provided at its lower end with a pinion 7 which meshes with a gear segment 8 on the steering wheel and also provided with a hand wheel 9 for the use of the operator who may occupy a seat 10 on the adjacent part of the frame. 7

Various means may be employed for pivotally connecting each supporting wheel with the frame but those shown in the draw ings are satisfactory and comprise two hangers or struts 11 depending from the central parts of the side sills, two tubular arms or quills 12 arranged horizontally and transversely in line and each projecting laterally outward from one of the main struts so as to form a short axle or axle arm upon which the hub of one of the supporting wheels is journaled, and a lower crossbar 13 connecting the lower ends of the main struts, as shown in Fig. 3. If desired the carriage may be propelled by animal power but in the drawings means are provided for propelling the same by meansof a motor driving wheels 4: by a transmission mechanism.

vcrsely on the front part of the frame, a pair of'chain belts 16 each of which passes 1 around a sprocket pinion 17 on one end of the jack shaft and a sprocket wheel 18'. on

the outer end of the hub of one of the driving wheels, and a longitudinal shaft 19 connected at its opposite ends by suitable gear ing with the jack shaft and the driving r shaft 20 of the engine. v 1

In the preferred form of this machine the digger mechanism of the same comprlses three digger sections 21, 22, 22 which are adapted to dig three sections of a furrow side by side at a time, one of these; digger sections 21 being preferably arranged centrally underneath the front part of the frame and in advance of the driving wheels while the remainingtwo sections 22, 22 are arranged transversely in line in rear of the driving wheels with an intervening space between the opposing ends of the rear digger sections which is lengthwise inline with the front digger section so that these three sections upon passing forwardly over the ground will produce a multiple furrow equalin width to the combined length of the three digger sections. Each of these digger sections is so mounted that'the same can be raised and-lowered for the purpose of varying the depth at which the ground is being tilled. The preferred means for this purpose comprise two inner or auxiliaryhangers or struts 23 depending from the central part of the frametransversely in line with the outer or main hangers 11 and connected at their lower ends in the lower cross bar 13, twotubular arbors or supporting sleeves 24 arranged axially in. line witheach other and with the axle arms or quills of the support ing or driving wheels and each sleeve being secured in the central part of one of the inner hangers so that its opposite ends project beyond the inner and outer side of this hanger, A pair of longitudinal front supporting bars25 are pivoted at their rear ends on. the outer ends of the tubular sleeves or arbors 24 and adapted to support the front or central digger section 21 on the central parts thereof, and a crossbar 26 connects the front ends of these supporting bars. Two pairs of'rear longitudinal supporting'bars 27 are provided, the outer mem ber of each rear pair being pivoted at its front end on the outer end of oneof the rear I The latter preferably comprises a horizontal jack shaft 15" journaled transinner end of the adjacent tubular arbor 2+1,

each rear pairuofsupporting-bars being adapted to support one of the rear digger sections 22 on the central parts thereof,

while a rear cross bar 28 connects the rear ends of each pair of rear adjusting bars. Each pair of longitudinal adjusting bars and the companion cross bar constitute the main elements of a vertically adjustable frame which supports one of the digger se'cbe mounted on the adjusting frame as best suits the particular. soil which is being o erated 'uponp As shown in the drawings, each of these weight sections is preferably mounted on its adjustable frame by providing theweight section on its underside with a vertical recess or notch 30 which is adapted. to receive the upper edge of the cross bar of the respectlve ad ustlng frame, whereby these weight sections may be easily and con-,

veniently removed from the adjusting frame or applied theretoto suit the character of the work in hand. I p V V Means are provided. for regulating the depth to which each digger sectlon may enter the ground and also for raising the digger section, clear of the ground when it is desired to transport the cultivator from place to place while the same is not in use. Asuitable device for this purpose comprises a drum 30 mounted on a horizontaltransverse shaft 31 journaled in suitable hearings on the mainframe, an adjusting cable, cord or chain 32 connected at its lower end with the cross bar of one of the adjusting frames L and wound at its upper end around the drum 30 an operating shaft 33 journaled in bearings on the main frame and having one of its ends squared or otherwise formed to receive a hand crank or other power ap 'pliance for turning the same, a pinion 84 mounted on the operating shaft and meshing with a gear wheel 35 on the drum shaft, and a detentpawl ordog 36 mounted on the main frame and engaging with the gear wheel 35, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Upon turning the power shaft in one direction or the other theadjusting cable will be either unwoundor wound up on the drum and the digger section associated therewith will be 'raisedof lowered accordingly and afterfthe digger has assumed the desired position the same isheld in place by means of the detent pawl engaging with the gear wheel.

Inasmuch j as all of the digger sections are constructed alike the following detailed description of one will apply to all of them. 87 represents a plurality of tools, blades,

bits, cutters or diggers'each of which is I 2 V of a digger bar to receive preferably constructed of a sheet of steel which is curved vertically and is so mounted that upon engaging its outer or lower operative edge with the earth the concaved side of the same faces forwardly relatively to the direction of movement of the blade. As shown in Figs. 2 and 6 each of these outter or digger blades has its outer or operative edge serrated or toothed and each tooth 38, as there shown, is preferably abrupt on one side and inclinedon the other side, whereby the several teeth enter the earth gradually with a shearing action which enables the same to be driven and effect the digging'operation with less power than if the cutting edge of the digger were straight or continuous. Furthermore, by thus constructing the digger blade with a plurality of teeth or serrations the earth is not only dug up and loosened but the same is also disintegrated or pulverized so that the soil is properly tilled and suitable for planting Without necessitating subsequent use of a harrow or similar implement for this purpose. Each of these digging bits,blades or tools is mounted on the front side of a stock or supporting body 39 which'is preferably constructed in the form of a horizontal bar which is arranged transversely in the machine. The several digger bars or stocks in each digger section are pivotally connected with one another so as to practically form an endless belt, chain or apron which is continuously rotated while the machine is in operation and moving over the ground so that the several digger blades are brought successively into engagement with the earth with a downward and rearward scooping action and the digging operation progresses as the machine advances. The preferred means for thus pivotally connecting the several digger bars or stocks which are shown in the drawings comprise a plurality of links 40 each of which is pivotally mounted at its opposite ends on reduced shanks ll formed at the corresponding ends ofntwo adjacent digger bars. Two series of. such links are employed for connecting the opposite ends, respectively, of the several digger bars and the links of each series are staggered or off set alternately so as to permit each shank the opposing ends of two connecting links, as shown in Fig. 8.

For purposes which will presently appear an antifriction roller 42 is mounted on the shank of each digger bar between the opposing ends of the two links which are mounted on the same and on the outer end of this shank is arranged a guide roller 43. The several links and rollers mounted on each shank may be confined thereon by any suitable means, for instance, by means of a retaining screw nut 4A which is screwed upon the outer threaded end of the respective shank.

The endless digging implement thus formed by the blades, bars and links is rotated rapidly in. a vertical plane by passing the upper end of this endless belt around a pairof spaced upper or driving sprocket wheels 45 each of which engages with the horizontal upper driven shaft 47 which is journaled in suitable bearings'on the central parts ofthe side bars of the front adjusting frame, while theupper driving sprocket wheels of the rear digger sections are mounted respectively onupper horizontal driven shafts 47 each, of which is journaled horizontally and'transversely in suitable bearings on the central parts of the side bars of one of the rear adjusting frames. The driven shafts of the several digger sections are operated from the main shaft 20 of the engine or prime mover by means of a transverse horizontal counter-shaft 4C9 extending axially through the tubular arbors 24 but not engaging therewith and journaled at opposite ends in bearings or bushings 5O arranged at the inner ends of the axial arms,

a chain belt 51 passing around sprocket wheels 52, 53 mounted respectively on the engine shaft and the countershaft and a plurality of chain belts 54; each of which passes around a sprocket wheel 55 on the counter shaft and a sprocket wheel 56 on one of the driven shafts corresponding to one of the digger sections. The connection and disconnection of the sprocket vwheel 52 with the engine shaft may be effected by means of a clutch 57'of any suitable construction so that the rotation of the digger belts may be arrested when the machine is not in operation and the same is transported idly from one place to another.

7 The lower pair of sprocket wheels 46 supporting the lower turn of each digger belt is journaled loosely upon a horizontal transverse spindle 58 which latter is relatively stationary and supported at its opposite ends by means of adjusting hangers 59 each of which is pivotally connected at its lower end with one end of the supporting spindle while its upper end is adjustably connected with the respective side bar of the adjusting frame by means of a clamping bolt 60 pass ing through the last mentioned bar. and a longitudinal slot 61 in the upper end of this adjusting hanger, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4. By raisingand lowering the adjusting hangers the respective digger belt may be inclined at various angles relatively to thesurface of the soil inordertoobtain the best results of the digging tools on the ground under cultivation.

For the purposeof maintaining the upper sprocket wheels and the lower sprocket wheels of each digger belt at the proper dis-v tance apart a distance or radiusframe is employed which pivotally connects the driven shaft and the supporting spindle of each digger belt. This radius frame is preferably so constructed that the supporting spindle can be adjusted relatively to the driven shaft for placing the proper. tension on the digger belt and taking up any wear in the same. In the preferred form of this radius framethe same comprises an upper section 62 which is pivotally mounted on the driven shaft 47 between'the upper sprocket wheels thereon and a lowersection 63 which is secured to the spindle 58 between the loose sprocket wheels thereon. Although various means may be employed for adjustably connecting the upper and lower sections of the radius frame those shown in the drawings are suitable and preferred and comprise two upwardly projecting guide arms 64 formed on the lower section and each provided with a longitudinalgroove 65 in its outer side and two downwardly projecting guide arms 66 formed on the upper section and each provided on its inner side with a longitudinal rib 67 engaging with the groove of the adjacent arm of the lower radius frame section. The two radius frame sections are separated for producing the proper tension upon the digger belt by means which comprise two adjusting rods 68 each of which is arranged lengthwise in a cavity formed in the guide rib of one of the upper guide arms and bears at its upper end against an abutment or shoulder 69 formed on this upper guide arm while its lower end is screw threaded and engages wlth a screw nut 70 whlch is mounted on an outwardly projectinglug 71 on the adjacent lower guide arm in such manner that the nut is prevented from turning. It follows from this construction thatwhen the adan opening 72 in the outer side of the upper guide arm and into engagement with one or the other of a series of radial openings formed in an enlargement or hub 73 on the central part of the adjusting rod, as shown in Figs. 4, 6 and 7. In order to hold the sections of the radius frame firmly in position after adjustment each of the lower guidearms is split lengthwise and the parts thereof onopposite sides of the split are connected by bolts 74. Preparatory to adatively to each other the'bolts' 74 are loos- :ened so as to permit the guide arms toslide freely relatively to each other and after adjustment these bolts are tightened so that vthe divided parts of each lower guide: arm

to the same and as these cutter blades move rearwardly around the lower turn of'the digger belt their movement is so controlled that they rise from the earth with a feathering action so that they do not tend to throw the earth upwardly unduly but instead turn over the earth after looseningit and move the same rearwardly. This action of the.

digger blades or cutters is produced by means of a front controlling rail or'track 75 arranged lengthwise adjacent to the inner side of the operative stretch of the digger belt and extending from theupper driven shaft to the lower supporting spindle there' ofandengaged on its outer side by-an, antifriction roller 76 mounted. on a controlling arm 77 projecting inwardly from the central part of each digger bar or stock, as shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 8. As each digger blade or cutter moves downwardly and rearwardly on the frontor operative stretch of the digger belt the roller of its controlling arm runs along the outer side of the front controlling track and prevents the blade from turning backwardly upon engaging in a laterally'projecting position relatively to the connecting links so as to effectively engage the earth and carry the same rearwardly. The lower end of the controlling track terminates tangentially relatively to the circumference of the lower sprocket wheels and their. supporting spindle whereby the controlling arm of each digger bar and its roller upon leaving the'lowerend of the front track causes the digger blade to jus'ting the sections of the radius frame rel- V .theearth but instead holds the same firmly V move around the lower'turn'of the digger belt and rise from the ground with a feathering action so that-the earth is not lifted unnecessarily but merely raised sufficient'to turn the same and move it rearwardly.

In order to permit a comparatively large number of digger bars and blades to be employed to take fine cuts and arranged compactly without interference between their respective controllingarms the latter are I staggered, as shown in Fig. 8. If the digger blades were permitted to tip up and assume a position parallel with the line of move- It is desirable, however, in farming, to dig up a part of the sub-soil'of the earth and mix the same with the surface soil during each plowing operation in order to, gradually deepen the seed bed. 7

y In order to accomplish this the cutter blade or digger may be constructed, as shown in Fig. 9 with a central tooth 84 which is comparatively long and adapted to enter the sub-soil during the cultivating or plowing operation and a plurality of comparatively short teeth 85 arranged on opposite sides of thelong tooth and adapted to engage only with the surface soil of the ground or earth which is being cultivated. By substituting this form of cutter blade or digger for the uniformly toothed blade shown in Fig. 6 the cultivator when operating upon the earth will dig up a portion of the sub-soil owing to its greater penetration and lift the same so that it becomes mixed with the previously cultivated surface soil, thereby gradually increasing the depth of the soil which is suitable for planting. Furthermore, by thus employing a sub-soil tooth on each blade in addition to the surface soil teeth which have less penetration a drainage groove or channel is out at intervals in'the sub-soil below the strata of surface soil which operates to drain the surplus moisture from the surface soil and maintain the same in the best condition for promoting the growth of the seed which has been planted in the same.

In order to cut the sod and roots in the earth in advance of the digging'mechanism two colters 86 of wheel-shape are arranged on opposite sides of the front or central "digger section and a single colter 86 is arranged on the outer side of each rear or side digger section, as shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 6. Each of these colters operates in the usual and well known manner and is supported for vertical adjustment by an arm 88 which has the colter pivoted on its front or lower end while its rear or upper end is pivoted on the bracket of the adjacent digger section, and a clamping bolt or screw 89 arranged on said bracket and passing through a segmental slot 90 in the colter arm.

I claim as my invention:

1. A cultivator comprising a carriage, and a digger mounted on said carriage and comprising an endless digging member, upper andlower wheels around which said digging member passes, a driving shaft connected with the upper wheels, a spindle supporting the lower wheels, a radius frame connectingthe said shaft and spindleand having an upper section which is 'hung on said shaft and provided with ribbed guide arms, a lower section secured'to the spindle and provided with grooved guide arms which receive the ribs of the upper arms, and means for adjusting the upper and lower arms relatively to each other comprising an adjusting rod engaging one end with one of said arms while its opposite end is provided with a screw thread, and a nut mounted on the other guide arm and receiving the threaded end of said rod, said grooved arm being split lengthwise and the parts thereof on opposite sides of the split being con nected by clamping screws.- 2

2. Acultivator comprising a carriage,-and a digger mounted on said carriage and comprising aplurality of transverse digger bars, links connecting corresponding ends of the digger bars and forming with the latter an endless belt, upper and lower wheels around which said belt passes, a shaft secured to said upper wheels, a spindle supporting said lower wheels, means for operating said belt so that its operative bars move'rearwardly, a radius frame connecting said shaft and spindle, and "means for causing the digger bars to project laterally from said links during their downward and rearward movement and to retract during the initial part of the upward movement of the same.

i 3. A cultivator comprising a carriage, and a digger mounted'on said carriage and com prising a plurality of transverse digger bars, links connecting correspondingends of the digger bars and forming with the latter an endless belt, upper and lower wheels'a'round which said belt passes, a shaft secured to said upper wheels, a spindle supporting'said lower wheels, a radius frame connecting.

said shaft and spindle, means for operating said belt so as to move the operative bars rearwardly, and means for causing the digs ger bars to project laterally from said links comprising a controlling track mounted on the radius frame and arranged adjacent to the operative stretch of said belt and extending tangentially relatively to said spin 'dle, and controlling arms arranged on the inner edges of said digger bars and engag ng said controlling track, said track adigger mounted on said carriage and comprising'a plurality of transverse digger bars, links connecting corresponding ends of the digger bars and forming with the latter an endless belt, upper and lower wheels around which said belt passes, a shaft secured to said upper wheels, a spindle supporting said lower wheels, a radius frame connecting said shaft and spindle, and means for causing digger bars and blades to project laterally from said links comprising controlling tracks arranged adjacent to the operative and inoperative stretches of said belt, and controlling arms arranged on the inner edges of said digger bars and adapted to engage saidcontrolling tracks, said radius having a gap adjacent to the lower rear side frame being constructed of upper and lower 1 adjustably connected sections, said front WVitness my hand this 19th day of July,

controlling track being mounted on the 1912.

lower section of the radius frame and said u upper and lower rear controlling track seo- JESSE PORTER tions being mounted respectively on the Witnesses:

ROBERT N. GUNDALL,

upper and lower sections of the radius Tnno. L. PoPP.

frame.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). 0. 

